With test launch, U.S. Navy goes electromagnetic (photos)

The new EMALS technology is intended to replace the Navy's venerable steam catapults. The first launch, of an F/A-18E, takes place on dry land.

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F/A-18E Super Hornet launches

On Saturday, the U.S. Navy made its first-ever launch of an aircraft using an electromagnetic system. Formally known as the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, or EMALS, the technology is intended to replace the steam catapults that have been used on aircraft carriers since the mid-1950s.

Super Hornet set for launch

The operation took place on dry land, at the Naval Air Systems Command test site in Lakehurst, N.J. "I thought the launch went great," said Lt. Daniel Radocaj, the test pilot, in a statement. "I got excited once I was on the catapult but I went through the same procedures as on a steam catapult. The catapult stroke felt similar to a steam catapult and EMALS met all of the expectations I had."

USS Gerald R. Ford

The Navy plans to install the EMALS on the USS Gerald R. Ford, a next-generation aircraft carrier scheduled to go into service in 2015. The progenitor of the expected Ford class of carriers, the ship will measure 1,080 feet long, 100 feet high, and 134 feet wide at the water line. The flight deck will be 250 feet across.

Hooking up to EMALS

A flight deck crew member gets ready to hook the F/A-18E up to the launch system. The EMALS technology is designed to handle newer, heavier, and faster aircraft than the traditional steam catapults, the Navy says.

Ready to go

It's thumbs-up for the test. The Navy says EMALS will provide "higher launch energy capacity;" improvements in system weight, maintenance, and efficiency; and greater accuracy of end-speed control and smooth acceleration at both high and low speeds.

Taking off

The launcher begins to push the aircraft to its rendezvous with history. "Saturday's EMALS launch demonstrates an evolution in carrier flight deck operations using advanced computer control, system monitoring and automation for tomorrow's carrier air wings," said Capt. James Donnelly, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment program manager, in a statement.

EMALS trough

Here's a look at the trough of the EMALS setup. General Atomics describes the system this way: "The EMALS system is a multimegawatt electric power system involving generators, energy storage, power conversion, a 100,000 hp electric motor, and an advanced technology closed loop control system with diagnostic health monitoring."